In the past I have had to create a local copy of a website, not a simple FTP download of the site, but generate a local offline navigable copy , with all the files, images and references adjusted for navigation from localhost.
How to download a website to consult it offline?
Because? Downloading a site locally could serve a thousand purposes: browsing an archive offline, on vacation for example, or having a local backup copy of a site we are redoing, the cases can be the most disparate.
I have tested several software, both online and client side, and the best one I have found is http://www.httrack.com/ . The tool can be downloaded with an installer or in a “portable” version, useful for inserting into a USB key or in the cloud .
How to copy a website locally
HTTrack is a free and free software that allows you to download a website and make it navigable locally. The software allows you to download a World Wide Web site from the Internet to a local directory, recursively building all directories, creating HTML files, retrieving images and other files from the server to your computer.
HTTrack re-organizes the internal link structure of the original site. Just open a page of the downloaded site in your browser, and you can navigate it from link to link, as if you were looking at the online version. HTTrack can also update a site you downloaded previously, and resume interrupted downloads. The software is fully configurable, and has an integrated help system.
Copy websites locally with httrack
WinHTTrack is compatible with Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Seven / 8/10 and Linux. Go to the download page .
To copy the site just follow 5 simple steps:
- Step 1: Choose the project name and destination folder
- Step 2: Enter the web address of the site to download
- Step 3: You are ready to launch the scan
- Step 4: Wait!
- Step 5: Check the result
The software is executable both via the graphical interface and from the command line. Here you can find the complete guide in English .
How NOT to use Httrack
Don’t overload websites!
If you have a fast connection, or if you send too many requests at the same time, downloading a site could overload the web server.
- don’t download websites that are too big, use filters
- don’t use too many simultaneous connections
- limit bandwidth usage
- use connection limits
- use size limits
- use time limits
- disable robots.txt file verification only if strictly necessary
- try not to download during working hours
- check the transfer rate
- for large websites, ask the site’s webmaster first
Make sure the website can be copied
- is it copyrighted?
- Is it possible to copy it for private use only?
- do not put the copies you have created online, unless you have permission to do so
Don’t overload the network
- is your network connected via ISP dialup?
- do you have limited bandwidth?
- are you slowing down traffic to your colleagues?
Don’t steal private information
- Don’t steal emails without consent
- Do not download private information
What software do you use to copy websites locally? Leave a comment
